Lou Jianzhong, head of Hangzhou's development and reform department, shares reflections on human-machine collaboration. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Hangzhou launched its annual Directors' Channel on the morning of Jan 21, following the opening of the sixth session of the 14th Hangzhou Municipal People's Congress.

Heads of eight municipal departments — development and reform, economy and information technology, human resources and social security, justice, commerce, urban construction, ecology and environment, and gardens and cultural heritage — appeared together to respond to public concerns in line with the government work report.

In a brief but highly productive Q&A session, officials outlined policies and targets regarding industrial upgrading, employment and entrepreneurship, business environment optimization, consumption expansion, urban renewal, ecological governance, and cultural heritage protection.

Highlights included Hangzhou's push to become a leading global innovation hub for artificial intelligence, with plans to implement 100 high-value human-machine collaboration scenarios annually; efforts to strengthen the 296X advanced manufacturing clusters and expand the number of specialized and innovative enterprises; plans to support young entrepreneurs through initiatives such as a new Hangzhou Entrepreneurship Talent Academy; and a firm stance against arbitrary fees, penalties, and inspections to create a fair, law-based business environment.

Officials also announced a package of measures: five major consumer initiatives for 2026; accelerated urban renewal projects that integrate history with modern vitality; expanded use of AI in environmental governance; and new progress in world heritage protection, with four Hangzhou sites newly added to China's tentative World Heritage list.

Through the Directors' Channel, Hangzhou translated policy priorities into clear commitments, delivering tangible and reassuring signals on high-quality development and people-centered governance.

Wu Jiejing, head of the municipal human resources and social security department, shares reflections on supporting young entrepreneurs. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]